Page 106 of When Wrecked Meets Ruined
Elijah would have been so proud of his friend.
“Bet you’re glad you wore his hoodie, huh?” Noah said.
“Win or lose, I would still be proud to wear it,” I said with a big smile. “Your face paint still looks good.”
He grinned. “Thanks. You did a good job.” He touched his cheek where I’d painted a gold #1. I’d tried to paint a maroon and gold bobcat for the team’s mascot on the other cheek. Not sure I’d succeeded, but Noah claimed it wasalmostas good as his artwork. High praise from a seven-year-old. “I was right, by the way.” He gave me a sly smile.
“Oh yeah? About what?”
“Told you you’d want him longer than just the summer.”
I laughed. It was October, and we were still together and still going strong.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” Brody said, his tone filled with pride and a big smile as we filed out of our row and joined the fans streaming out of the stadium. “My little brother is a force to be reckoned with.”
Today I sat with the McCallister men—Brody, Patrick, and Noah. The last time I came to one of Ridge’s games in September, Lila and Shiloh were here too. Ridge’s family went to every home game to cheer him on.
“You did a good job with him, Brody,” Patrick said gruffly. “A damn fine job.”
“I can’t take any credit for that,” Brody said, pointing to the field lit up by stadium lights where Ridge had been front and center, working his magic for the past three hours. “He did that all on his own.”
It was true. Ridge worked so hard to get where he was. He was only a freshman, but he was determined to make a name for himself and achieve the goals he’d set for himself. Ridge didn’t just want to be a good player. He wanted to be the best.
“If he keeps playing like this, he’s gonna go all the way.” Patrick rubbed his hands together as if the prospect thrilled him.
I felt compelled to defend Ridge. I didn’t like how Patrick always added a caveat to his statements. “Hewillgo all the way,” I said, boldly staring him down, so there was no confusion over whose side I was on. “There’s noifabout it. Never doubt Ridge or what he’s capable of doing.”
Patrick gave me an appraising look, his blue eyes piercing. “You believe in him.”
More than I’d ever believed in anyone. “He’s given me every reason to, so yes, I believe in him. And I think he needs to know that you do, too. He needs you to tell him you’re proud of him.”
“He said that?” Patrick asked with a look of disbelief.
I shook my head. “He doesn’t have to say it. I just know.”
“What that boy needs is a firm hand to guide him. He’s cocky enough already.”
Brody and I shared a look, and I saw that we were thinking the same thing. Ridge used his cockiness as a shield to hide his insecurities. I never used to think he had any, but now I knew he did. He was worried about letting his family down. Letting Elijah down. Letting everyone down.
His biggest fear was that he’d mess up everything good in his life, but I would never let that happen if I had any control.
Patrick was proud of Ridge but too stubborn and set in his ways to tell him. He obviously cared, or he wouldn’t be here. But he wasn’t very good at giving praise or apologizing when he was wrong.
We hung around near the exit, waiting for the players to come out of the locker room. Just us and a hundred jersey chasers. That was an exaggeration. But there were a lot of pretty girls wearing maroon and gold, and I hated to think how many girls threw themselves at Ridge when I wasn’t here.
Finally, he emerged with some of his teammates. He was dressed in a hoodie and sweatpants, his hair still damp from the shower, and just seeing him put a big smile on my face.
“Good game, Ridge,” a blonde cooed. “You were amazing.”
My smile slipped.
Back off, bitches. He’s mine.
I needed to stake my claim. Pride be damned. I ran right up to him and threw my arms around him.
He lifted me off the ground and gave me a big smile. “You wore my hoodie.”
“I’m proud of my man. Of course, I wore it.” I ignored the catcalls from his teammates when I kissed him for all the world to see.
